BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2573

By: Longoria

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that two recently established Texas medical schools, the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, have not been added to the joint admission medical program, which assists qualified economically disadvantaged students in preparing for and succeeding in medical school. H.B. 2573 seeks to make the necessary update and provide for the inclusion of those medical schools in the program.  

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2573 amends the Education Code to classify the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as medical and dental units for purposes of the Higher Education Coordinating Act of 1965. The bill includes both medical schools among the participating medical schools in the joint admission medical program.

H.B. 2573 requires the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley each to enter into the requisite agreement with the Joint Admission Medical Program Council and to select an appropriate faculty member to represent the respective medical school on the council. The bill requires each of the medical schools to provide internships and mentoring under the program as appropriate beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, but expressly does not require the medical schools to admit participating students under the program before the 2022-2023 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.